Elland Road, five without a win, and a manager answering job questions
Leeds United host Manchester United at Elland Road on Sunday, 15:00 CEST, in Premier League matchday 7 (2). Your team goes there 14th with 6 points from 6 games, and no win in five (10). The last outing was a 2–0 Champions League loss away at Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, October 13. Before that, 1–1 at home to Tottenham on Saturday, October 10.
Carrick: my future is "not important"
Michael Carrick was asked about his own job and did not bite. His future as head coach is "not important", he said, ahead of the Leeds game (5). United sit 14th, and his position has been described as increasingly precarious (11).
He also made his affection for the role clear. "At this stage. It's the best job I could possibly have. I feel a real privilege of being in this position & a real responsibility, but equally a drive of wanting to make a difference & having success here. I'm loving it," he said in his pre-match press conference (fan post).
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Martinez against Wilcox, and the documentary theory
Lisandro Martinez has criticised Jason Wilcox, and Carrick faced questions on it in his embargoed pre-match press conference (6). The other dressing-room story doing the rounds is the Amazon All or Nothing documentary. Players reportedly see the cameras as a distraction, and one source told The Sun: "The players view the cameras as a pain." (1)
Carrick confirms January plans
Carrick said United will seriously consider January signings (11). The names are already flying. United have revived interest in Frenkie de Jong, with Barcelona willing to talk from €60m (3). They are also in talks with Real Betis over defender Natan, priced around €40m, against competition from Barcelona and Manchester City (4).
Left-back is live too. Barcelona want €40m for Alejandro Balde, and United are looking at a loan without an obligation to buy (7). Fabrizio Romano says a January move is growing more likely: "It could be January" (8) (11).
Bruno talks keep going, Zirkzee stays
Contract talks with Bruno Fernandes are still moving despite his form. "And his importance to United still can't be underestimated, he's a huge player for them so I'm sure that those contract talks will continue and United will hope they can convince him to stay," per Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast (9).
Joshua Zirkzee has decided to stay and turn his United situation around, after links with Napoli, Juventus, AC Milan and Fiorentina (12).
What comes after Leeds
Como away in the Champions League on Wednesday, October 21 at 18:45 CEST. Then Bournemouth at home on Sunday, October 25, and Chelsea away on Saturday, October 31.
Fan reactions
The mood on r/reddevils is split: plenty of gallows humour about the table, and a thread quoting Carrick saying he is "loving it" and calling it "the best job I could possibly have" drew a lot of replies. Others are trading theories on the season, including a widely shared report on Marcus Rashford's treatment. The matchday thread against Leeds is here.
